Nigeria’s Francis Epe will lead the home challenge at the $50,000 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic after producing a commanding performance to win the 54-hole Nigeria Closed by five shots.

Epe completed the three-day Nigeria Closed at two-under-par 214 after rounds of 73, 69 and 72 at the par-72 Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos. His victory has given the Nigerian an ideal confidence boost ahead of the international phase of the tournament. 

The international phase of the Lakowe Lakes Classic is scheduled for October 2–4 and forms part of the Sunshine Development Tour’s East Africa Swing. The tournament carries a $50,000 prize purse, valuable World Golf Ranking points and a brand-new GAC electric car for the overall winner. 

Epe said winning the Nigeria Closed was an encouraging way to begin an important week of professional golf.

“It is good to enter the main event with a winning feeling. It’s a great way to start an all-important week. I look forward to continuing into the second event with this feeling,” Epe said. 

Former Nigeria No. 1 Oche Odoh finished second on 219, three-over-par, while Kamalu Bako placed third with 221, five-over-par.

Other Nigerian professionals who produced encouraging displays during the Nigeria Closed included Kabiru Haruna, Mike Ubi, Patrick Paul and Tajudeen Ajayi, all of whom will be hoping to make an impact against the visiting international field.

The Classic is attracting a strong African field, with professionals from more than 12 countries expected to compete at Lakowe Lakes.

Among the international players listed are Rwanda’s Celestine Nsazuwera, the Sunshine Development Tour’s leading player, Zambia’s Sydney Wemba, Ghana’s Vincent Togah and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo.

Nigeria will also have several leading professionals in the international field, including Sunday Olapade, Godwin Okoko, Andrew Odoh, Solomon Ideria and Tajudeen Ajayi. 

The tournament is being staged in two phases, with the Nigeria Closed providing the domestic professionals an opportunity to compete for a ₦30 million purse before the international field arrives.

The arrival of the Sunshine Development Tour in Nigeria has been described by organisers and players as an important opportunity for Nigerian professionals to gain international exposure without having to travel outside the country. 

Lakowe Lakes Golf Club Manager Femi Olagbenro previously said the event was designed to create stronger competitive opportunities for Nigerian golfers and allow them to test themselves against leading players from across Africa. 

With Epe entering the international competition on the back of a five-shot victory, the Nigerian golfer will now be seeking to convert his domestic success into another strong showing when the $50,000 Lakowe Lakes Classic tees off.

The international tournament runs until October 4, when the overall winner will claim the biggest purse on the Sunshine Development Tour to date, alongside World Golf Ranking points and the GAC electric car.